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Ms Maliki's son Zaid said the cemetery's receptionist told his sister-in-law ‘even the dead don't escape the carbon tax’.

‘We are pretty upset… that comment was a kick in the guts,’ he said.

A spokesman for the Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, which runs Springvale Cemetery, said an apology had been made to the family and staff had received a warning about how they speak to people who are grieving.

The family said they were shocked to be told about the extra 'carbon charge' during the burial. The picture is posed.

However, she added that the member of staff was wrong, and insisted the price-hike was part of a planned annual increase, and not because of the carbon tax.

An internal investigation will be launched.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it would willing to investigate the claims.

Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said it would be ‘reprehensible’ if any cemetery was taking advantage of grieving families by overcharging them for funerals.